BAPTISMS


BEFORE A BAPTISM CAN BE SCHEDULED, PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN REGISTERED FOR AT LEAST 90 DAYS, YOU SUBMIT THE BAPTISM REGISTRATION FORM AS WELL AS THE SPONSOR ELIGIBILITY FROM, AND THAT YOU HAVE OBTAINED AND SUBMITTED THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION.


GODPARENT REQUIREMENTS

  • Canon 872

    The godparent’s role with the parents is to present the infant for the sacrament of Baptism and help the child live a life befitting a baptized Catholic Christian.
  • Canon 873

    There may be only one male godparent or one female godparent or one of each.
  • Canon 874

    1. Be designated by the parent and must be mature enough to undertake this responsibility;

    2. Be at least 16 years of age;

    3. Have received the three sacraments of initiation namely Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation and
    live a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on;

    4. Not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared by the Church;

    5. Must not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized;
  • Canon 874

    A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic Christian community may not be admitted as a godparent but as a witness to the Baptism together with a Catholic godparent
  • IF THEY ARE MARRIED
    Canon 874

    Valid wedding in the Catholic Church

    Catholics in an invalid marriage (not according to Catholic Church regulations) and those that are cohabitating (living together without marriage) cannot serve as a sponsor.
  • IF THEY ARE REGISTERED PARISHIONERS OF ANOTHER PARISH
    Canon 874

    They will need a letter of eligibility from their home parish Pastor

IN SUMMARY WE NEED THE FOLLOWING REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION:

  • A copy of the sacraments for each godparent:
    1. Baptism
    2. Confirmation
    3. First Communion
  • If godparents are married, a copy of their marriage certificate
  • For non-parishioner godparents: letter(s) of eligibility from home parish Pastor including the following:

    *Name of godparents chosen
    *Name of child to be baptized
    *Certifying that the godparents named are registered at his parish
    *Permission to be godparents at another parish

    Letters recevied at our parish for previous baptisms cannot be reused for a different child’s baptism.
  • Birth Certificate of child being baptized (a letter of postpartum discharge suffices while you wait for the official birth certificate)

    *This can be submitted after the registration form but we will need it before scheduling a baptism
Please complete the Baptism Registration Form and have the soon to be Godparent(s) complete the Godparent/Sponsor Eligibility Form. Please send the original documents to the parish office. We cannot schedule a baptism until we have all the necessary documents. Keep in mind that it could take one to a few months to get your baptism scheduled depending on the documentation needed. We ask that expecting mothers to register at least two months before their baby is due.
The baptism will typically be scheduled for a Saturday morning unless otherwise arranged.
Baptism Registration
Godparent-Sponsor Eligibility Form